In This Issue
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Message from the RectorIs it really September already??? I heard a rumor in seminary that summer was a great time to catch up and do some imaginative planning for fall, without the distractions and fast pace of the ‘busy’ program months of September through June. Well, we have gotten lots of planning done, but it has been in the midst of lots of activity.
Karen Cuffie and I have met and are planning some nice adjustments to the start of chanted services on September 19th. We will be using new (to us) music for the Gloria, and we will add a Fraction Anthem (sung during the breaking of the bread). There are defined, specific, required components to every Eucharistic Prayer. I won’t recite all seventeen of them, but following the Invocation of God’s blessing on the Gifts, and then on God’s people, we say the Trinitarian Doxology (All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ…). The conclusion of the Doxology is the Great AMEN. We then say together the Lord’s Prayer, followed by the breaking of the bread. I lift the bread from the paten, break it, and immediately return it to the paten. I then stand with hands joined and head bowed for a short, silent prayer. The Fraction is then sung, as the second chalice and any additional paten are placed on the altar, and the bread is broken into smaller pieces. So the Fraction is meant to be short, but provides a musical statement of Christ’s presence for us in the breaking of the bread. This will be a nice addition to our service.
Edy and Caroline planned and executed a GREAT workshop on August 28th for Greeters, LEMs, CBs, Readers, and Acolytes. All were trained and fed, and none were injured! It was informative and fun. If you missed the workshop, contact Edy or Caroline for a make-up class!
If you have not recently browsed the church website, be sure to. Carol Pecora has been working with Judi and me to put together a very state-of-the-art new design. We now have a new look to the website, several blogs where people can post comments to the content, a St Stephen’s Facebook page, and we are working on connecting our audio sermon library to Apple iTunes as a Podcast source. I have recently connected our digital recorder to the equalizer that is part of the church audio system. This allows all microphones used for the 10 am service to feed into the recorder, making our sermon recordings much higher quality when we ‘wander’ away from the lectern.
Preschool begins next week, on September 7th. We now have sixteen registered students. I ask your prayers for us to get four more students. This would nicely fill our morning session. Please welcome our new teacher, Cindy Nielsen. She attends St John’s Episcopal Church in Morgan Hill, has two children, and is excited to start teaching at our preschool. We are equally excited to have her join our faculty.
Be sure to check out the articles in this newsletter regarding Family Fun Day on September 12, the CommunityFest on the 18th, the Ministry Fair following the 10 am service on the 19th, and Blessing of the Animals on October 2nd. These are all important and fun events, and bring us back together after the wild summer we bring to a close as our children and grandchildren get back to school. We are a Faith Family, and these shared experiences or worship and fellowship connect us, anchor us, and bless us. Participate in all that you can.
Grace and Peace, Ken +
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A summary of the July 2010 Income and Expenses is shown in the table below.
July 2010 |
Actual |
Budget |
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Income |
$13,493 |
$13,133 |
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Expense |
$13,613 |
$14,499 |
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Net |
($120) |
($1,366) |
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Year to Date |
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Income |
$91,206 |
$93,935 |
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Expense |
$99,221 |
$104,584 |
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Net |
($8,015) |
($10,649) |
This July report begins to reflect some income from the 2010 Golf Tournament. Our monthly net income is slightly better than projected, and the month’s expenses are about $1,000 less than expected. Our year to date numbers show that we are about $2,600 better than expected at this time of year. Our Treasurer reported to the August vestry that expense control must remain a priority, and it is very important for our members to keep our pledges current. As of the end of July, pledge receipts are $4,600 less than budgeted. Reported by Father Ken, based on Philip Ong’s August 12 Financial Report.
A very special "Thank You" goes to everyone who helped make the basket raffle so successful. Those who either donated baskets or contributed items to add to a basket are: Catherine Blair, Wanda Bryan, Caroline Buckner, Amy Corbus, Karen Cuffie and Isabelle King, Rosemary Goodman, Larry and Genie Lee, Nancy McGuinness, Dottie Remson and Margaret White, Rod and Judi Sato, Peggy Skinner, Jack and Frances Steitz, Janet Thorsrud, Ann Tyler, Robin Horn, and the St. Stephen's Pre School Children, Logan and Julie Zintsmaster, Joanne Coleman, and Jim and Chris Glancey. Thanks also go to the ladies who helped with the sale of raffle tickets at the tournament: Isabelle King, Dottie Remson, Wanda Bryan, Mia Pecora and one super salesperson who no one could resist, Kendall Watson. by Frances Steitz [And special thanks to the coach of this team, and star player, Frances Steitz - Ken +]
Our 7th Annual Golf Tournament continued the tradition of giving the congregation at St. Stephen’s the opportunity to show the community who we are. I am continually amazed every year by the enormous generosity of this community. There are so many people to thank, let me start with the people who produced the raffle baskets and for Frances Steitz and her sidekick Jack for all the effort in organizing this effort for the raffle. This year’s effort produced one of our highest income totals for the raffle at $1,589.00. Also, thank you to the ladies who helped in the morning with checking in all the players, Edy Unthank, Wanda Bryan, Amy Corbus, Isabelle King, Susie Good and Frances Steitz.
We had a total of 53 players this year, which was down a little from last year. This total reflects what has been happening in most charity golf events this year. Although the numbers were down, the fun and good times could be heard throughout the course. Players experienced great weather and a beautiful golf course. We will continue to work on growing the number of players for next year’s event. After golf the players joined the non-golfers in the clubhouse, where everyone enjoyed a variety of liquid refreshments while listening to pianist Donald Bosco. We had a total of 120 guests for dinner, the most we have ever had. I am very excited and pleased to report, after a couple of agonizing days on my part, that when the last $1,180.00 of income is received, our net proceeds will be $8,808.00. The budgeted amount for this event was $9,000.00 in net income!
I cannot thank everyone enough for your contribution to the success of this event year after year. Each year we are reaching more and more people in our community through this event. It allows us to continue growing and touching lives around us. We will soon be setting the date for our 8th Annual, so get ready to hold the date!
God Bless! by Tom Good
[Check out our Shutterfly account to see the wonderful photos that Ken Redder took of the event. Here is the link: Golf Tournament Photos.
At the top of our Thank You list is Tom Good. Tom literally works all year long to talk about the Tournament, encourage people to come, find sponsors and donors, and create new ways to keep the event fresh and fun for everyone. Tom, we cannot thank you enough; but we will keep trying. by Father Ken]
We had a very sucessful workshop for all Greeters, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Chalice Bearers, Acolytes and Crucifers on Saturday, Aug 28! These are vital ministries to our Sunday worship services and yet, many of the details go unnoticed by those of us who are not serving in any of these ministries. Did you know that there is a specific spot that the torch bearers stop for the Gospel procession, or that there there’s a right way and a wrong way to turn around when leaving or approaching the altar?
With only one announcement about the need for new acolyte and crucifer albs, our St. Stephen’s community donated more than enough money to purchase all the albs that are needed! The order has been placed and should arrive within the next two weeks. Look for the dazzling white albs and the wonderful children who serve in these ministries. by Karen Cuffie
I think we might have set a record for the number of Baptisms at St. Stephen’s in one summer. We had a very beautiful mother/daughter Baptism in June with Maike and Laura Langland-Shula. Chelsie Moniz and Jonah Good were both baptized in August. We are truly blessed to be able to welcome all of them into the household of God. We will be having another joyous baptism in October. Looking ahead, the baptism of Colin Lief will be co-presided by Father Ken and Colin's grandfather, Canon Richard Lief, in October. by Karen Cuffie
Thanks to Jan Martin and the Players for Christ for their gift of musical variety over the summer months. It was very generous of Jan, Catherine, Genie, Dan, Jordan, Andy, John, Larry, Julie, Melissa and Jack to select the music that perfectly fit the lessons of the day, to come early on those 'third Sundays' to practice, and to lead us in filling the Worship Hall with such a joyful sound. We are grateful for your gift of summer music. by Father Ken
Summer preschool was a great success this year. We had ten children (triple the number from summer 2009!). We learned about color mixing, dying our own knapsacks and windsocks. We also learned about different kinds of crystals and we learned that sometimes experiments do not work. (Our Epsom salt crystals did not grow.) We have enjoyed a few weeks off, sent some of last years class on to Kindergarten and now it is time for a new school year. We have a total of sixteen children enrolled this year spanning in age from three to five. Our “meet the teacher” morning went very well with ten children, their parents and siblings attending. Next is the first week of school beginning on Tuesday September seventh and “back to school” orientation for parents on Monday September thirteenth. I am looking forward to a fun filled school year. by Robin Horn
Recently we have had a big demand on our supply of Prayer Shawls, which in one way is wonderful that we have had them for people who needed them. On the other hand it is sad that so many people have needed them! One Sunday we had five on the shelf: In less than a week that number was two. We only have four people who are regularly making them right now, and that puts a bit of a strain on all of us. That said, if any one of you would like to pick up knitting needles or crochet hooks and join those of us who make them, Please Feel Free to do so! If you have any questions about size just call or see Frances Steitz – 408-356-4575. If you need financial help to buy supplies we have a fund (thanks to Robert Young) to pay for them. Just save your receipts and give them to Philip Ong and he can pay you. Thanks! by Frances Steitz
Did you know that Communityfest is celebrated nationwide? With the purpose of educating, advocating, and organizing, this is the place people come to answer the question, “How can I help?” Communityfest prioritizes voter registration, education and mobilization, voting, volunteering and sharing the burden are the first steps in moving beyond oneself into community building. This year in our own little “burb” there will be crafts, food and entertainment for all with live music by ‘The Nerds’! There will be a ‘Green Zone,’ where you can find vendors of energy-saving items and supplies related to saving energy, improving air and water quality and recycling.
St. Stephen’s will have a booth again this year, and we are looking for a few of our very talented congregation members to help staff and spread our faith with others. They need us, so say, “Yes, I can help!” by Janet Thorsrud [If you can help set up, cover our booth, or tear down on September 18 for a few hours between 9 am and 3 pm, please contact Janet - Fr Ken +]
n is not over just because summer is winding down. Plan for casual dress for the 10 am service on September 12th. That is the day for an outdoor BBQ lunch, a bounce house, field games, cotton candy and shaved ice; all for the ridiculous cost of admission of $5 per person, max $15 per family, under 2 years old free. Now that is a deal. Family Fun Day begins immediately after the 10 am Holy Eucharist.
The Ministry Fair will be on September 19th following the 10:00 service. Posters representing all the different ministries at St. Stephen’s will be set up in the Church. This is an opportunity for you to explore what is involved in each ministry and consider how you might want to participate. There are so many wonderful opportunities to serve and they don’t all have a huge time commitment. There will be someone to answer any questions you might have so don’t be afraid to try something out – you will more than likely have a great time! by Karen Cuffie
In late September we will be kicking off a Fall Sermon Series, based on a six week study written by John Ortberg. Each sermon in the series will present a topic which will be further discussed in a short weekly video which will be offered in home small groups. This has become a very popular fall gathering activity for St Stephen's, with various topics we have covered over the last few years. Those programs included; Fearless, Facing the Giants, Just Walk Across the Room.
As is our tradition, we will be having our Blessing of the Animals service on October 2nd at 4:00 in the afternoon. Weather permitting, the service will be held outside. Father Ken has blessed many different types of pets, from cats and dogs to bunnies and birds – all are welcome. Every pet will get a personalized certificate to bring home and pet goodies will be served following the service. by Karen Cuffie
